Identity Theft in Southern California

California Identity Theft Law & Penalties

It is fascinating to think how much technology has evolved over the past decade or so. The internet has become a popular destination to communicate with others, share your experiences, keep up with current events, shop, and conduct day-to-day activities. However, identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States—with California reporting more incidents than almost any other state.

If you have been arrested for identity theft, understand that you have the right to defend yourself. At Campbell Whitten, we are committed to protecting your rights, reputation, and future. With more than 30 years of collective experience, we have a thorough understanding of California law to help you navigate the complexities of your case.

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Identity theft is essentially stealing another person’s personal identifying information for use in an unlawful or fraudulent manner. These types of information include the victim’s name, social security number, driver’s license number, passport number, address, phone number, bank account numbers, banking pin number, credit card numbers, and even fingerprints.

California imposes similar penalties and sentences for identity theft crimes, regardless of whether the defendant acquired, retained, used, sold, or transferred the personal identifying information for an unlawful purpose. Since identity theft is considered a “wobbler”—meaning that the offense may be punished as either a misdemeanor or a felony—the actual sentence depends on the circumstances of the offense and the severity of the harm suffered by the victim(s).

If punished as a misdemeanor, you face up to one year in a county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. If punished as a felony, you face up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Bakersfield Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

Whether you were unlawfully accused, using someone else’s personal identifying information in a lawful manner, or a victim yourself, we can do whatever it takes to obtain the best results possible. Do not hesitate to speak with our legal team for more information.